Bag holding and filling device

ABSTRACT

A bag holding and filling device is disclosed, for use with a revolving machine for placing material into a bag, the bag holding and filling device comprising bag clamping means operative to hold the bag onto the device and pinch means physically connected to the bag clamping means and operative to control the flow of the material into the bag, whereby when the pinch means allows the material to flow into the bag, the bag clamping means will hold the bag onto the device, and when the pinch means does not allow the material to flow into the bag, the bag clamping means will release the bag.

United States Patent l Seals Oct. 21, 1975 [73] Assignee: Larry Harold Kline, Charleston,

[22 Filed: July 11, 1974 [2l] Appl. No.: 487,447

[52] U.S. Cl. 141/83; l4l/l5l; l4l/3l5 [5|] Int. Cl. B65B 1/30 [58] Field of Search 141/83. l5l, IO, 67, 68.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,261,379 7/1966 Stockel et al. l4l/83 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Fi'rmLarry Harold Kline [57] ABSTRACT A bag holding and filling device is disclosed, for use with a revolving machine for placing material into a bag, the bag holding and filling device comprising bag clamping means operative to hold the bag onto the de vice and pinch means physically connected to the bag clamping means and operative to control the flow of the material into the bag, whereby when the pinch means allows the material to flow into the bag, the bag clamping means will hold the bag onto the device, and when the pinch means does not allow the material to flow into the bag, the bag clamping means will release the bag.

18 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 1 of 12 FIG.

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet20f 12 3,913,635

U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet3of 12 3,913,635

OON

US. Patent Oct.2l, 1975 SheetSof 12 3,913,635

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet60f 12 3,913,635

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet70fl2 3,913,635

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet8of 12 3,913,635

SIG

U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet90fl2 3,913,635

FIG. ll

US. Patent Oct.21, 1975 Sheet 10 of 12 3,913,635

U.S. Patent Sheet 11 0f12 FIG. l3

US. Patent 0 .21, 1975 Sheet 12 of 12 3,913,635

FIG. l4

BAG HOLDING AND FILLING DEVICE This invention relates to bag filling machines and more particularly to a revolving machine for placing material in bags.

Many industries require fluidized or flowing powdery materials, such as cement, fertilizer, lime, clay, and other small granular or powdery fluidized materials, to be placed in bags. The Applicant has invented an improved bagging machine which revolves and which contains many new and useful innovations.

The Applicant is simultaneously filing six patent applications, of which this is one, covering various inventions used in the revolving bagging machine. The features of these inventions are all contained within this patent application.

An object of the present inventions is to produce a revolving bagging machine which can bag various materials at a high rate of speed.

Still another object of these inventions is to provide an automatic means for removing bags from a revolving bagging machine.

A further object of these inventions is to providefor a spill collection device for use with the revolving bagging machine.

Still another object of these inventions is to provide a bagger tank, structurally designed to aid in the bagging process.

Another object of these inventions is to provide sloped guide plate surfaces for forming, both, voids for various purposes and funnels to aid in material flow.

Still another object of these inventions is to provide a revolving means to revolve, both, a bagging machine and a take-off device.

Another object of these inventions is to provide for a take-off device for use with a revolving machine which revolves at a speed proportionate to the speed of the revolving machine.

Still another object of these inventions is to provide for a housing for an impeller which has an enclosure with access means allowing for easy access for maintenance purposes.

Another object of these inventions is to provide an impeller shaft turning device comprising hydraulic means operative to control the motor which rotates the shaft of the impeller.

Still another object of these inventions is to provide a bag housing and filling device which holds the bag, when material is flowing into it, and releases the bag, when material is not flowing into it.

Another object of these inventions is to provide means for use with a bag holding and filling device which will now allow material to flow, if no bag is being held.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims.

Briefly, the invention comprises a machine for placing material in bags comprising machine revolving means operative to revolve the machine, material holding means in which the material may be held, machine support structure operative to physically support the machine, and material bagging means operative to place the material, held in the material holding means, into the bags. The machine may further comprise bag removal means operative to remove the bags from the material bagging means. The bag removal means may be a take-off device. The machine may further comprise a spill collection device operative to collect any of the material which might escape from the material bagging means. The material holding means may comprise a bagger tank. The bagger tank may comprise an outer surface shaped like a cylinder, an inner sloping interior shell surface circular at the top and bottom, and a bottom connecting the outer surface to the inner sloping interior shell surface. The bagger tank may further comprise a plurality of sloped guide plate surfaces, all of which emanate from the bottom and are physically connected to the outer surface and the inner sloping interior shell surface, each of the plurality of sloped guide plate surfaces with another of the plurality of sloped guide plate surfaces form a void in the bagger tank, whereby none of the material may enter. Each of the plurality of sloped guide plate surfaces with still another of the plurality of sloped guide plate surfaces form a funnel through which the material may flow. The machine may further comprise a cover for the bagger tank operative to prevent particles of the material from escaping into the atmosphere. The cover may contain a plurality of feeder holes through which the material may be placed in the bagger tank. The material holding means may further comprise a plurality of feeder means operative to bring the material to the feeder holes to be deposited in the bagger tank. The bottom may contain a plurality of dump openings through which the material may flow into the material bagging means. The machine revolving means may comprise motor means, wheel means operative responsive to the motor means, and machine driving means operative responsive to the wheel means. The wheel means may comprise a sprocket. The machine driving means may comprise a sprocket chain welded to the machine, whereby when the sprocket is moved by the motor means, the sprocket will mesh with the sprocket chain causing the machine to revolve. The motor means may comprise an electrical motor, a speed reducer connected to the electrical motor, and an output shaft emanating from the speed reducer. The material bagging means may comprise a plurality of impellers, a plurality of housings operative to hold the material which flows from the material holding means, a plurality of impeller shafts each operative to support one of the plurality of impellers, a plurality of impeller shaft turning means each operative to turn one or more of the plurality of impeller shafts, and a plurality of bag holding and filling means operative to hold the bags and to fill the bags with the material. The plurality of housings is operative to house one of the plurality of impellers.

The take-off device for use with a revolving machine basically comprises revolving means operative to revolve the take-off device at a speed proportionate to the speed of revolution of the revolving machine, a plurality of bag carrying means operative to support the bags when the bags are taken from the revolving machine, and positioning means operative to take the plurality of bag carrying means in proper position to remove the bags from the revolving machine. The takeoff device further comprises removal means, to remove the bags from the plurality of bag carrying means. The revolving means basically comprises motor means, first wheel means physically connected to the output of the motor means and operative to revolve the revolving machine, second wheel means physically connected to the same output of the motor means as is the first wheel means, a center shaft on the take-off device. and shaft driving means connected to the second wheel means and operative to revolve the center shaft of the take-off device. The motor means basically comprises an elec' trical motor, a speed reducer, and an output shaft emanating from the speed reducer. First and second wheel means are physically connected to the output shaft of the speed reducer. The first wheel means may comprise a sprocket. The second wheel means may comprise a take-off device drive sprocket. The shaft driving means may comprise a center shaft driving wheel means which is attached to the center shaft of the take-off device. A drive chain may be driven by a shaft driving sprocket. The shaft driving means further comprises a drive chain support track and a shaft support structure. The revolving means may revolve the take-off device six times for every one revolution of the revolving machine or may be set up for any multiple of revolutions desired. The plurality of bag carrying means comprises an outer shaft and a plurality of holding means connected to the outer shaft. The plurality of holding means basically comprises a plurality of cradle arm supports, a plurality of swivel connections, and a plurality of bag cradles each connected to one of the plurality of swivel connections. The plurality of bag cradles may comprise a plurality of cradle support sides and a plurality of back and side arms. The plurality of bag cradles further comprises a plurality of cradle lifters, two of each being connected to two of the plurality of back and side arms which are connected to one of the plurality of cradle support sides. The plurality of holding means further comprises a plurality of cradle arm braces. The plurality of holding means further comprises a plurality of rigid supports. The positioning means basically comprises movement allowing means which is operative so that the plurality of bag carrying means revolves with the take-off device proportionate to the speed of revolution of the revolving machine, but allows each of the plurality of bag carrying means to be capable of movement up and down. The positioning means further comprises up and down movement means operative to move the plurality of bag carrying means up and down. The up and down movement means basically comprises a base located at the bottom of the take-off device and circling the take-off device, and guiding track resting on the base. The up and down movement means further comprises a plurality of wheels which are operative to ride on the guiding track. The guiding track is structured to provide up and down movement of the plurality of wheels. The guiding track is structured so that a graph of movement of any one of the plurality of wheels versus the time of movement would be a sinusoidal graph. Movement allowing means basically comprises a slot located in the outer shaft and a key located on the center shaft and fitting through the slot on the outer shaft, whereby the key causes the outer shaft to revolve with the center shaft, but allows up and down movement of the outer shaft along the slot. The takeoff device may be located with respect to the revolving machine so that each pair of the plurality of cradle lifters on the take-off device may remove a bag from one of a plurality of bag supports on the revolving maching. The cradle lifters will go underneath the bag which is resting on the stool and stool supports, and due to the up and down movement will lift the bag from the stool and stool support and carry it around the take-off device.

The housing for the impeller, which is mounted on the impeller shaft and is capable of moving material, basically comprises an enclosure within which the impeller, mounted on the impeller shaft, may be placed. The enclosure has a plurality of shaft openings through which the impeller shaft may extend. A plurality of shaft opening packing means or gland nuts are secured to the enclosure at each of the plurality of shaft openings. A plurality of packing material, such as wool or fiber packing, is placed within each of the plurality of shaft opening packing means and around the impeller shaft. The molded top of the impeller housing has an opening through which material may be placed in the enclosure or impeller housing. The molded top with the opening comprises material entrance means. Material exit means comprises a spout opening through which material may exit from the housing. Access means in the enclosure allows access for maintenance purposes within the enclosure. Access means comprises an access door, attachment means connecting the access door to the enclosure and securing means holding the access door onto the enclosure. The attachment means comprises a hinge which connects the access door to the enclosure or impeller housing. The securing means comprises a bracket and a securing or opening bolt. The access means further comprises a sealing means to keep any of the material from escaping through the access door. The sealing means comprises a gasket. The securing means further comprises an impeller housing support molded onto the enclosure and a plurality of mounting bolts to secure the bracket to the impeller housing support.

The spill collection device for the revolving machine, which bags material, includes material landing means located below the position in the revolving machine where the material is bagged. The excess material will fall onto the material landing means. Material collection means is operative to collect the material which falls onto the material landing means. Material return means is operative to return the excess material which falls onto the material landing means to the revolving machine. The material collection means comprises a plurality of collectors, and a plurality of collector drag means. The material collection means further comprises a plurality of sweep means. The plurality of sweep means may comprise a plurality of sweep arms. The material collection means further comprises a plurality of sweep drag means. The material collection means further comprises a plurality of balance means, each connected to one of the plurality of collectors and operative to maintain proper balance for the plurality of collectors. Cone drag bars comprise a plurality of balance means. The plurality of collectors may comprise a plurality of cones. The plurality of collector drag means may comprise a plurality of chains. The plurality of sweep means may comprise a plurality of sweep arms. The plurality of sweep drag means may comprise a plurality of chains. The plurality of balance means may comprise a plurality of drag bars. The material landing means may comprise a circular trough, a circular inner sloping surface connected to the trough, and a circular outer sloping surface connected to the side of the trough opposite from the inner sloping surface. The plurality of cones is dragged through the circular trough. The plurality of sweep arms is dragged on the surface of the circular outer sloping surface. The material return means may comprise a plurality of spill removal holes, a plurality of spill removal means, and a plurality of elevating means. The spill removal holes are located in the material landing means. The plurality of spill removal means may be a plurality of conveyors. The plurality of elevating means, which are operative to elevate the excess material and return the excess material to the revolving machine, may be a plurality of elevators.

The plurality of impeller shaft turning devices is used to turn the various impellers in the invention. Looking at one impeller shaft turning device, it is used in rotating the shaft of an impeller within a housing in a revolving machine, to aid in impelling material into a bag. The impeller shaft turning device comprises motor means operative to rotate the shaft of an impeller, and hydraulic means operative to control the motor means. The motor means may be a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic means may comprise a fluid supply means which provides a flow of fluid to the hydraulic means, start and stop control means operative to start and stop the flow of the fluid to the hydraulic motor, and flow control means operative to control the quantity of fluid to the hydraulic motor after the start and stop control means allow flow of the fluid to the hydraulic motor, whereby the flow control valve controls thespeed of rotation of the shaft. The impeller shaft turning device has hydraulic means further comprising pressure relief means operative to maintain constant speed of the hydraulic motor when a plurality of hydraulic motors is operated using the same fluid supply means. The start and stop control means may comprise a directional control valve. The flow control means may comprise a flow control valve. The fluid supply means may comprise a pressure header from which fluid flows to the hydraulic motor and a return header to which fluid flows from the hydraulic motor. The start and stop control means may comprise starting means operative to start the flow of fluid to the hydraulic motor and stopping means operative to stop the flow of fluid to the hydraulic motor. The starting and stopping means, both, may comprise a solenoid. Both the start and stop solenoids may be activated by microswitches. The start solenoid may be activated by a microswitch located on the revolving machine, when the shaft of an impeller should be rotated to aid the revolving machine to impel the material into the bag. The stop solenoid may be activated by a microswitch located on the revolving machine when a pre-determined amount of the material has entered the bag. The pre-determined amount may be determined by a scale beam balance scale system. The flow control means is adjustable to control the flow of the fluid to the hydraulic motor to a pre-determined amount per time interval and is thereby operative to control the speed of the hydraulic motor to a predetermined speed and to be adjusted to control the speed of the hydraulic motor to aid in impelling the material into the bag, which may be necessitated by material of varying particle size and by atmospheric conditions. The fluid supply means may comprise a fluid source means operative to provide a source of fluid, a pressure header from which the fluid may flow to the hydraulic motor, and a return header to which fluid may flow from the hydraulic motor. The fluid source means may comprise a hydraulic pump means connected to the pressure header and operative to pump the fluid to the pressure header, pump motor driving means operative to control the hydraulic pump means, a reservoir operative to hold a supply of fluid, pressure relief means connected to said hydraulic pump means and operative to relieve pressure, and cooling means connected to the return header and operative to cool the fluid when it is returned to the reservoir from the return header. The pump motor driving means may comprise an electrical start and stop switch. The fluid source means further comprises a suction strainer located between the hydraulic pump and the reservoir operative to strain the fluid. The fluid source means may further comprise a filter located between and connected to the return line header and the reservoir to aid in purifying the fluid being returned to the reservoir. The cooling means may comprise a head exchanger. The pump motor driving means may be an electrical motor. The impeller shaft turning device may further comprise a coupling connected to the outpupt of the motor means and connecting to the shaft of the impeller. The impeller shaft turning device may further comprise a universal joint operative to connect the shaft of an impeller to a second shaft of another impeller, whereby the second shaft of another impeller may be rotated by the same motor means as the shaft of an impeller. The impeller shaft turning device is a sealed system and is impervious to dust and atmospheric conditions.

The revolving machine comprises a plurality of bag holding and filling devices, for placing material into bags. A bag holding and filling device, for placing material into a bag, comprises bag clamping means opera tive to hold the bag onto the device and pinch means physically connected to the bag clamping means operative to control the flow of the material into the bag, whereby when the pinch means allows the material to flow into the bag, the bag clamping means will hold the bag onto the device and when the pinch means does not allow the material to flow into the bag, the bag clamping means will release the bag. The bag holding and tilling device further comprises bag insert interlock contact means operative to cause the pinch means not to allow the material to flow when no bag is being held by the bag clamping means. The bag holding and filling device further comprises weight evaluating means operative when the material in the bag reaches a predetermined weight to activate the pinch means to stop the flow of the material into the bag. The bag holding and filling device further comprises a material flow hose through which the material flows. When the material flow hose is pinched and the material is stopped from flowing by the pinch means, the pinch means operates to stop the flow of material into the bag. The bag holding and filling device further comprises a spout connected to the material flow hose through which the material flows into the bag. The pinch means may be a pinch valve mechanism. The pinch valve mechanism may comprise an air cylinder, an air cylinder control valve operative to control the air cylinder, and a plurality of linkage bars operative responsive to the air cylinder, whereby when the pinch means operates to stop the flow of the material into the bag, the plurality of linkage bars pinches the material flow hose. The bag clamping means comprises a clamping mechanism apparatus operative to clamp the bag against the spout when the bag clamping means is holding the bag onto the device. The bag holding and filling device further comprises a lever rod connected to one of the plurality of linkage bars and to the clamping mechanism apparatus, whereby when the pinch means operates to allow flow of the material into the bag, the lever rod is posi tioned to press the clamping mechanism against the spout. The bag insert interlock contact means may comprise an electrical contact in the clamping mecha nism apparatus, whereby when the clamping mechanism apparatus is pressed against the spout, an electrical connection is made, and a bag insert interlock solenoid valve activated when the electrical contact makes an electrical connection with the spout and operative to activate the air cylinder control valve to cause the plurality of linkage bars to pinch the material flow hose and stop the flow of material, whereby the material will not flow unless a bag, acting as an insulator, prevents an electrical connection between the electrical contact and the spout. The bag holding and filling device further comprises bag support means operative to hold the bag to be filled with the material. The bag support means may comprise a bag channel support connected to the revolving machine, stool support apparatus connected to the bag channel support, and a stool connected to the stool support apparatus operative to hold a bag to be filled with the material. The stool support apparatus may comprise a stool support arm connected to the bag channel support, an adjusting stool support connected to the stool and adjustably connected to the stool support arm, and a plurality of height adjusting nuts operative to hold the adjusting stool support at a pre-determined height, whereby a bag may be placed on the stool and may be raised or lowered by the adjusting stool support to be properly positioned to receive the material into the bag.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and appended claims when taken with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofone side of the bagging machine, without the cover on the bagger tank, further showing the take-off device and drive mechanisms.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the other side of the bagging machine showing the cover and one feed conveyor.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the bagging machine, cut-away to show support members and leveling devices, also showing the position of cam 422 with respect to the bagging machine.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the bagging machine taken at points A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view taken from a point below the machinery platform of the bagging machine.

FIG. 6 is a section view taken at points B-B in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a section view taken at points CC in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plane from view showing a portion of the bagging machine's impeller housings drive shafts, supporting mechanisms, and impeller hydraulic control mechanisms showing a cut-away view ofa void containing the hydraulic control mechanisms.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view taken from the side of impeller housing 274, further showing the associated bag clamping mechanisms.

FIG. 10 is a section view taken at points D-D in FIG. 9, which is from the rear of impeller housing 274, showing the interior of said impeller housing.

FIG. I I is a section view showing the clamping mechanisms and balance scale mechanisms associated with impeller housing 274.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the machinery platform Ill) showing the hydraulic system and air compressor thereon, in a black box format, further showing twelve triangular voids.

FIG. I3 is an isometric view of the bagging machine drive mechanism and the take-off device drive mechanism.

FIG. I4 is an isometric view of the lower section of the take-off device.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one side of the bagging machine, without the cover on the bagger tank, further showing the takeoff device and drive mechanisms. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the other side of the bagging machine showing the cover and one feed conveyor. FIGS. 1 and 2 will be discussed together.

The complete bagging machine consists of many individual structural pieces, an upper supporting structure 3 comprises upper support to which the center shaft 4 of the bagging machine is attached. Electrical brush rigging 5 is attached onto center shaft 4 of the bagging machine. Supporting beams 7, 8, 9, I0, 11, l2, l3, and 14 (see FIG. 3) emanate from the center shaft 4. The bagger tank is formed with outside cylindrical surface 1, inner sloping interior shell surface 15, and bottom 315. Inside rim 6 of the shell structure rests on top of the sloping interior shell surface 15 of the bagger tank. Supporting beams 7, 8, 9, 10, ll, l2, l3, and 14 are physically connected to the inside of outer surface 1, the inside rim 6, and the top of sloping interior shell surface 15 for purposes of stability. For further support, supporting beam 7 is attached to structural support 219, supporting beam 9 is attached to structural support 218, supporting beam 11 is attached to structural support 221, and supporting beam 13 is attached to structural support 220.

FIG. 2 is shown with a cover 177 on the bagger tank. Attached to outer surface 1 of the bagger tank are various supports for pinch valve air start control valves and hydraulic motor start microswitches. Support 16 supports air start valve 28, support 17 supports air start valve 29 and start microswitch 40, support 18 supports air start valve 30, support 19 supports air start valve 31 and start microswitch 41, support 20 supports air start valve 32, support 21 supports air start valve 33 and start microswitch 42, support 22 supports air start valve 34, support 23 supports air start valve 35 and start microswitch 43, support 24 supports air start valve 36, support 25 supports air start valve 37 and start microswitch 44, support 26 supports air start valve 38, support 27 supports air start valve 39 and start microswitch 45.

On this bagging machine which has 24 spouts, 12 more supports, such as supports l6, l7, l8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, will be located on the back of the bagging machine, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Below each support l6, l7, l8, I9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 is a bag channel support and a spout. Below support 16 is bag channel support 46 and spout 58, below support 17 is bag channel support 47 and spout 59, below support 18 is bag channel support 48 and spout 60, below support 19 is bag channel support 49 and spout 61, below support 20 is bag channel support 50 and spout 62, below support 21 is bag channel support 51 and spout 63, below support 22 is bag channel support 52 and spout 64, below support 23 is bag channel support 53 and spout 65, below support 24 is bag channel support 54 and spout 66, below support 25 is bag channel support 55 and spout 67, below support 26 is bag channel support 56 and spout 68, and below support 27 is bag channel support 57 and spout 69.

Details of various apparatuses in the area of the bag channel supports and spouts are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for purposes of clarity. FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 show these areas in detail, many of these details which would be observable when viewing the bagging machine from the views taken in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Located at the bottom of the bag channel supports are a stool and stool supports. Connected to bag channel support 46 is stool and stool supports 70, connected to bag channel support 47 is stool and stool supports 71, connected to bag channel support 48 is stool and stool supports 72, connected to bag channel support 49 is stool and stool supports 73, connected to bag channel support 50 is stool and stool supports 74, connected to bag channel support 51 is stool and stool supports 75, connected to bag channel support 52 is stool and stool supports 76, connected to bag channel support 53 is stool and stool supports 77, connected to bag channel support 54 is stool and stool supports 78, connected to bag channel support 55 is stool and stool supports 79, connected to bag channel support 56 is stool and stool supports 80, connected to bag channel support 57 is stool and stool supports 81, the apparatus in connection with stool and stool supports 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, and 81 is not shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2. Details of the stool and stool supports are shown in FIG. 1!.

A rolled tee-bar 113 circles the upper portion of the outer surface 1 of the bagger tank. Welded sprocket chain 112 is welded to rolled tee-bar 113. The drive mechanisms for the bagging machine revolve the bagging machine through the meshing of the welded sprocket chain 112 with sprocket 114, which is driven by speed reducer 115 and electrical motor 116. Speed reducer 115 and electrical motor 116 are mounted on supporting beam 117. The take-off device 2 is driven by electrical motor 116 and speed reducer 115 through take-off device drive sprocket 118 which is physically connected to an output shaft of speed reducer 115 below sprocket 114 and is not shown in FIG. I but is detailed in FIG. 13.

Take-off device drive chain 119 is physically at tached to take-off device drive sprocket 118 and to shaft driving sprocket 121 which is rigidly connected to the take-off device center shaft 122. Take-off device drive chain 119 is supported on drive chain support track 120. Center shaft 122, shaft driving sprocket 121, and drive chain support track 120 are supported by take-off device shaft support structure 123. Outer shaft 124 fits around center shaft 122. Outer shaft 124 contains slot 125. Key 126 is attached to center shaft 122 and fits within slot 125 which is in outer shaft 124. Key 126 within slot 125 allows outer shaft 124 to rotate in the same manner as the center shaft 122. Slot 125 in outer shaft 124 allows for up and down movement of outer shaft 124 with respect to base 411 and center shaft 122. The various track arms, track arm braces, cradle arm supports, and cradle arm braces and swivel connections and other portions of the take-off device are not numbered in FIG. 1 for the purpose of clarity.

These various parts of the take-off device are shown in detail in FIG. 14. The take-off device drops bags into conveyor belt 174 which is on conveyor frame 173.

Below the level of the bottom surface 315 and around the center shaft 4 of the bagger tank lies the machinery platform 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the machinery platform is supported by spoke like supports 224, 225, 226, and one more not shown which support the machinery platform and the balance scale system which is shown in FIG. 11. Rolled channel beam 87 is a circular beam connected to the ends of spokelike supports 224, 225, 226, and the spoke-like support not shown. The balance scale mechanism is supported on rolled channel beam 87, as shown in FIG. 11. Balance scale lower end support 355 is a rolled, round shaped angle iron which also rests on spoke-like supports 224, 225, 226, and the support not shown. The rolled channel beam 87 has an upper flange 108 and a lower flange 109.

Various parts of the sweep up or spill collection device are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, including trough 82, sweep arm 83, cone collector 84, outer sloping surface 85, inner sloping surface 86, cone drag chain 88, sweep arm drag chain 89, drag bar 90, sweep arm 93, cone collector 96, sweep arm drag chain 99, and cone drag chain 102 and other portions of the sweep up or spill collection device are shown in detail in FIGS. 5, 6, and

The spill collection device drops the swept up mate rial into spill removal dump hole 106 onto spill removal means 107 which may be a conveyor. The material in spill removal means 107 is then deposited in elevating means 175 which may be a conveyor or elevator to raise the material to the level of feed conveyor 176 where the material is deposited back into a feed conveyor for recycling to the bagging machine. Cover 177 of the bagger tank contains a feeder hole 178. The material is deposited from the conveyor 176 through the feeder hole 178 in cover 177 back into the bagger tank. Cover 177 does not rotate with the bagger tank and is held by cover support members 179, 180, 181, and 182. Cover support members 179 and 180 are attached to support beam 183 which is rigidly attached to upper supporting structure 3. FIG. 2 shows this cover on, but FIG. 1 does not show the cover on so that inner supporting structures may be shown. Supporting structure for cover 177 on the left and the right side is shown in detail in FIG. 4, other additional support structures for cover 177 are contemplated, but are not shown in the drawings. Supporting structure for the bagger tank, including support brace 185, pillow block bearings 186 and 187, angle frame foundation 194, upper foundation support 223, bearing shaft 198, are shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the bagging machine, cut-away to show support members and leveling devices, also showing the position of cam 422 with respect to the bagging machine. FIG. 4 is a section view of the bagging machine taken at points A--A in FIG. 3. The bagging machine has further support and means for leveling the bagging machine, balance scale and machinery platform, including a plurality of turnbuckle tie rods which are connected between structural reinforcing supports and rolled channel beam 87. Turnbuckle tie rod 210 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 227 and to structural reinforcing support 218 by bolt and nut anchor 235. Turnbuckle tie rod 211 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 228 and to structural reinforcing support 218 by bolt and nut anchor 235. Turnbuckle tie rod 212 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 229 and to structural reinforcing support 219 by bolt and nut anchor 236. Turnbuckle tie rod 213 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 230 and to structural reinforcing support 219 by bolt and nut anchor 236. Turnbuckle tie rod 214 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 231 and to structural reinforcing support 220 by bolt and nut anchor 237. Turnbuckle tie rod 215 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 232 and to structural reinforcing support 220 by bolt and nut anchor 237. Turnbuckle tie rod 216 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 233 and to structural reinforcing support 221 by bolt and nut anchor 238. Turnbuckle tie rod 217 is connected to rolled channel beam 87 by nut anchor 234 and to structural reinforcing support 221 by bolt and nut anchor 238. Structural reinforcing support 218 is rigidly connected between supporting beam 9 and the junction of the sloping interior shell surface of the bagger tank and the bottom surface of the bagger tank which is intersection 412. Structural reinforcing support 219 is connected between supporting beam 7 and the intersection of the sloping interior shell surface 15 of the bagger tank and the bottom surface labeled as intersection 413. Structural reinforcing support 220 is rigidly connected between supporting beam 13 and the intersection of the sloping interior shell surface 15 of the bagger tank and the bottom surface of the bagger tank labeled as intersection 414. Structural reinforcing support 221 is rigidly connected between supporting beam 11 and the intersection of sloping interior shell surface 15 of the bagger tank and the bottom surface 315 of the bagger tank labeled as intersection 415.

FIG. 3 shows the center shaft 4 of the bagging machine. Supporting beams 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 emanate from the center shaft. Structural reinforcing supports 218, 219, 220, and 221 are connected between various supporting beams and various points at which the sloping interior shell surface 15 of the bagger tank and the inner flange of bottom surface 315 of the bagger tank intersect. Turnbuckle tie rods 210, 211, 212. 213, 214, 215, 216, and 217 are connected between the various structural reinforcing supports 218, 219, 220, and 221 and rolled channel beam 87.

FIG. 4 shows upper supporting structure 3 from which support beams 183 and 184 are attached. Cover support member 179 is connected between support beam 183 and cover 177. Cover 177 is donut shaped and covers the bagger tank. Cover support member 180 is connected to support beam 183 and cover support member 179. The cover 177 is rigidly attached to cover support member 180. Similarly, cover support members 181 and 182 are connected to support beam 184. Cover 177 is rigidly attached to cover support member 182 as well as cover support member 180. Rolled tee-bar 113 is rigidly connected to outer surface 1 of the bagger tank. Welded sprocket chain 112 is welded onto rolled tee-bar 113 and is used to form a ring or bull gear with sprocket 114 as the pinion gear, forming the driving mechanism for the bagging machine.

Upper foundation supports 222 and 223 along with two other supports not shown, form further foundation for the support of the bagging machine. As seen in FIG. 4, resting on upper foundation support 223 is angle frame foundation 194 to which pillow block bearings 186 and 187 are bolted. Bearing shaft 198 runs through pillow block bearings 186 and 187 and is connected to support wheel 202. Rolled tee-bar 113 rests on support wheel 202 and receives support therefrom. Rolled teebar 113 also receives support from support wheel 203 along with two other support wheels not shown. Angle frame foundation 19S rests on upper foundation 222. Pillow block bearings 188 and 189 are bolted onto angle frame foundation 195. Bearing shaft 199 runs through pillow block bearings 188 and 189 and connects to support wheel 203. Rolled tee-bar 113 rests on support wheel 203 as well as the other three support wheels previously mentioned, and is supported thereon.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the four supporting structures which support rolled tee-bar 113, only two of which are shown in FIG. 4. Angle frame foundation 196 rests on an upper foundation support (not shown). Pillow block bearings 190 and 191 are bolted onto angle frame foundation 196. Bearing shaft 200 runs through pillow block bearings 190 and 191 to a support wheel (not shown) which provides additional support for rolled tee-bar 113. Support braces 185 and 423 provide further support for the support beams.

Angle frame foundation 197 rests on an upper foundation support (not shown). Pillow block bearings 192 and 193 are bolted onto the angle frame foundation 197. Bearing shaft 201 goes through pillow block bearings 192 and 193 and connects to a support wheel (not shown) which helps support rolled tee-bar 113.

FIG. 4 shows the base of center shaft 4 of the bagging machine which rests in thrust bearing 208. Thrust bearing 208 rests in foundation support 209. The center shaft 4 of the bagging machine rotates with the entire machine in operation.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show in detail the sweep up or spill collection device of the bagging machine. FIG. 5 is a top view taken from a point below the machinery platform of the bagging machine. FIG. 6 is a section view taken at points B-B in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a section view taken at points C-C in FIG. 6. The sweep up or spill collection device comprises four sets of chains, a cone, and a sweep arm. The cones have a drag bar behind for balance so that the cone will stay in an upright position. The cone is dragged around the tank and tends to sweep up any spilled material that is spilled from and around the bags and spouts. The purpose of the sweep up or spill collection device is to return the spilled material back into the bagger tank. Each section that is dragged around the circumference of the bagging machine has a sweep arm, a cone collector, a sweep arm drag chain, a cone drag chain, and a cone drag bar. FIG. 5 shows cone collector 96 with its associated cone drag bar 105, cone drag chain 102, sweep arm 93, and sweep arm drag chain 99. Cone has cone drag bar 104, sweep arm 92, sweep arm drag chain 98, and cone drag chain 101. Cone collector 94 has cone drag chain 100, cone drag bar 103, sweep arm 91, and sweep arm drag chain 97. Cone collector 84 has drag bar 90, sweep arm 83, cone drag chain 88, and sweep arm drag chain 89. Spill removal dump hole 106 and spill removal means 107 are also shown in FIG. 5. The cones or cone collectors are dragged through trough 82 which is rigidly connected to inner sloping surface 86 and outer sloping surface 85. Trough 82, inner sloping surface 86 and outer sloping surface 85 may be made of one piece construction with varying slopes and designs providing only that any material dropped thereon, would tend to settle in trough 82.

The drag chains for the cones are connected to rolled channel beam 87. When the rolled channel beam 87 is rotated along with the bagging machine, the cone is dragged along the trough 82 to pick up excess material in trough 82. The excess material gathered by the cone collectors is dropped into spill removal dump hole 106. The material then falls upon spill removal means 107 which may be a conveyor and is then conveyed back up into the bagger tank by elevating means 175, feed conveyor 176, and feeder hole 178 in cover 177. There may be more than one spill removal dump hole and more than one spill removal means. They may be placed at different locations wherever convenient under the bagger tank to carry spilled material onto mechanisms that will feed the material back into the bagger tank. Elevating means 175 may be a standard bucket type elevator or any small elevating means which would carry the spilled material back up to the tank where it could be fed onto feed conveyors, such as feed conveyor 176, or other feed mechanisms that feed the main bagger tank in order to recycle the spilled material back into the system. The cone may be just an ordinary sheet metal cone and the chain may be ordinary logging chain. The drag bar maintains the balance of the cone so that the cone will stay in an upright position, being dragged on the outer edge of the cone for maximum efficiency in scouping up material.

in the configuration of this invention shown in the drawings, four sets of cones and supporting apparatus are placed at ninety degree angles around the spill collection device.

The spill collection device for the revolving machine, which bags material, includes material landing means located below the position in the revolving machine where the material is bagged. The excess material will fall onto the material landing means. Material collection means is operative to collect the material which falls onto the material landing means. Material return means is operative to return the excess material which falls onto the material landing means to the revolving machine.

The material collection means comprises a plurality of collectors, such as cone collectors 96, 95, 94, and 84, and a plurality of collector drag means, such as cone drag chains 102, 101, 100, and 88. The material collection means further comprises a plurality of sweep means, such as sweep arms 92, 93, 91, and 83. The material collection means further comprises a plurality of sweep drag means, such as sweep arm drag chains 89, 97, 98, and 99. The material collection means further comprises a plurality of balance means, each connected to one of the plurality of collectors and operative to maintain proper balance for the plurality of collectors. Cone drag bars 105, 104, 103, and 90 comprise a plurality of balance means.

The plurality of collectors may comprise a plurality of cones. The plurality of collector drag means may comprise a plurality of chains. The plurality of sweep means may comprise a plurality of sweep arms. The plurality of sweep drag means may comprise a plurality of chains. The plurality of balance means may comprise a plurality of drag bars.

The material landing means may comprise a circular trough, such as trough 82, a circular outer sloping surface, such as outer sloping surface connected to the side of trough 82 opposite from the inner sloping surface 86. The plurality of cones is dragged through circular trough 82. The plurality of sweep arms is dragged on surface of circular outer sloping surface 85.

The material return means may comprise a plurality of spill removal holes, a plurality of spill removal means, and a plurality of elevating means. The spill removal holes are located in the material landing means, such as spill removal dump hole 106, located in trough 82. The plurality of spill removal means may be a plurality of conveyors, such as spill removal means 107. The plurality of elevating means which are operative to elevate the excess material and return the excess material to the revolving machine. Other embodiments to perform the means functions may occur to those skilled in the art and are contemplated by this invention.

FIG. 8 is a plane front view showing a portion of the bagging machines impeller housings and impeller hydraulic control mechanisms showing a cut-away view of a void containing the hydraulic control mechanisms. FIG. 8 shows voids 239, 240, and 241. Void 239 is shown in a cut-away view in order to show the hydraulic control mechanisms that are situated in the void. The hydraulic control mechanisms in void 239 are used with hydraulic motor 242. Every other void on the bagging machine has hydraulic control mechanisms because a hydraulic motor, such as hydraulic motor 242, is only required for every other impeller housing unit. FIG. 8 shows to voids with the hydraulic control mechanisms, void 239 being a cut-away, and void 241 showing portions of the hydraulic mechanism. Alternate voids not containing the hydraulic control mechanism, such as void 240, may be used as storage areas for various air and electrical lines used within this invention. Void 239 is formed by sloped guide supports 302 and 303. Void 240 is formed by sloped guide supports 304 and 305. Void 241 is formed by sloped guide supports 306 and 307. These sloped guide supports are formed at an angle so that the fluidized material to be bagged will flow relatively easily and smoothly down the sides of the sloped guide supports into the impeller housings. For example, fluidized material will flow down the sloped guide support 303 and 304 and sloping interior shell surface 15 into impeller housing 274. Material will flow down the sides of sloped guide supports 305 and 306 into impeller housing 275. These guides form a triangular shaped void space furnishing ideal locations for the hydraulic air and electrical control mechanisms.

In void 239, is shown hydraulic line 285 which comes from hydraulic pressure line header 284 and leads to hydraulic flow control valve 279. Hydraulic line 286 leads from hydraulic flow control valve 279 to hydrau lic four-way directional control valve 282. Hydraulic four-way directional control valve 282 has start solenoid 293 and stop solenoid 294. Hydraulic lines 291 and 292 lead from hydraulic four-way directional control valve 282 to hydraulic return line 288. Hydraulic return line 288 connects hydraulic motor 242 with hydraulic return line header 283. Pressure relief valve 280 is connected by hydraulic line 289 to hydraulic line 287 and is connected by hydraulic line 290 to hydraulic return line 288.

Void 241 contains a similar hydraulic control mechanism set-up as in void 239, and as would be in every 

1. A bag holding and filling device, for use with a revolving machine, for placing material into a bag, comprising: a. bag clamping means, mounted independently of the physical structure of said revolving machine, operative to hold said bag onto said device; b. pinch means, mounted independently of the physical structure of said revolving machine, physically connected to said bag clamping means operative to control the flow of said material into said bag, whereby when said pinch means allows said material to flow into said bag, said bag clamping means will hold said bag onto said device and when said pinch means does not allow said material to flow into said bag, said bag clamping means will release said bag. c. a lever rod directly physically connecting said bag clamping means to said pinch means.
 2. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 1 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises bag insert interlock contact means operative to cause said pinch means not to allow said material to flow when no bag is being held by said bag clamping means.
 3. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 1 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises weight evaluating means operative when said material in said bag reaches a pre-determined weight to activate said pinch means to stop the flow of said material into said bag.
 4. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 1 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises a material flow hose through which said material flows, said material flow hose being pinched and said material stopped from flowing by said pinch means when said pinch means operates to stop the flow of said material into said bag.
 5. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 4 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises a spout connected to said material flow hose through which said material flows into said bag.
 6. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 5 wherein said pinch means is a pinch valve mechanism.
 7. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 6 wherein said pinch valve mechanism comprises: a. an air cylinder; b. an air cylinder control valve operative to control said air cylinder; c. a plurality of linkage bars operative responsive to said air cylinder, whereby when said pinch means operates to stop the flow of said material into said bag, said plurality of linkage bars pinches said material flow hose.
 8. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 7 wherein said bag clamping means comprises a clamping mechanism apparatus operative to clamp said bag against said spout when said bag clamping means is holding said bag onto said device.
 9. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 8 wherein said lever rod is connected to one of said plurality oF linkage bars and to said clamping mechanism apparatus, whereby when said pinch means operates to allow flow of said material into said bags, said lever rod is positioned to press said clamping mechanism against said spout.
 10. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 9 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises bag insert interlock contact means operative to cause said pinch means not to allow said material to flow when no bag is being held by said bag clamping means.
 11. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 10 wherein said bag insert interlock contact means comprises: a. an electrical contact in said clamping mechanism apparatus, whereby when said clamping mechanism apparatus is pressed against said spout, an electrical connection is made. b. a bag insert interlock solenoid valve activated when said electrical contact makes an electrical connection with said spout and operative to activate said air cylinder control valve to cause said plurality of linkage bars to pinch said material flow hose and stop the flow of said material, whereby said material will not flow unless a bag, acting as an insulator, prevents electrical connection between said electrical contact and said spout.
 12. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 1 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises bag support means operative to hold said bag to be filled with said material.
 13. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 12 wherein said bag support means comprises: a. a bag channel support connected to said revolving machine; b. stool support apparatus connected to said bag channel support; c. a stool connected to said stool support apparatus operative to hold a bag to be filled with said material.
 14. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 13 wherein said stool support apparatus comprises: a. a stool support arm connected to said bag channel support; b. an adjusting stool support connected to said stool and adjustably connected to said stool support arm; c. a plurality of height adjusting nuts operative to hold said adjusting stool support at a pre-determined height, whereby a bag may be placed on said stool and may be raised or lowered by said adjusting stool support to be properly positioned to receive said material into said bag.
 15. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 11 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises bag support means operative to hold said bag to be filled with said material.
 16. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 15 wherein said bag support means comprises: a. a bag channel support connected to said revolving machine; b. stool support apparatus connected to said bag channel support; c. a stool connected to said stool support apparatus operative to hold a bag to be filled with said material.
 17. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 16 wherein said stool support apparatus comprises: a. a stool support arm connected to said bag channel support; b. an adjusting stool support connected to said stool and adjustably connected to said stool support arm; c. a plurality of height adjusting muts operative to hold said adjusting stool support at a pre-determined height, whereby a bag may be placed on said stool and may be raised or lowered by said adjusting stool support to be properly positioned to receive said material into said bag.
 18. A bag holding and filling device according to claim 17 wherein said bag holding and filling device further comprises weight evaluating means operative when said material in said bag reaches a pre-determined weight to activate said pinch means to stop the flow of said material into said bag. 